The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has identified a rabid raccoon in Cape Elizabeth.
It’s unclear where or when that raccoon was spotted, but the agency is reminding folks about rabies safety, such as avoiding wildlife, especially if an animal seems to be acting irregularly, and to get your pets vaccinated for rabies.
Rabies in wild animals is common in Maine and is most often found in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, according to the Maine CDC.
Rabies spreads when an infected animal bites or deeply scratches a person or another animal. There is no treatment for rabies once symptoms develop. It is preventable by avoiding exposure and seeking care immediately after any exposure.
How to keep yourself and your pets safe
— Keep your pet’s rabies vaccination up to date.
— Feed pets indoors.
— Keep garbage cans or other sources of food tightly secured.
— Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals.
— Be cautious of stray dogs and cats. If you spot a stray cat or dog, contact your local animal control officer.
— Do not move wildlife. This can spread rabies into new areas.
— Wash bite or scratch wounds thoroughly with soap and water for 10-15 minutes and contact your health care provider.
Who to contact
— If an animal bites or scratches you, contact your health care provider immediately.
— If an animal bites or scratches your pet or livestock, contact your veterinarian immediately.
— If you want to report a dead or suspicious-acting raccoon, skunk, fox or coyote in Maine, contact a game warden with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
